Work-Energy and Momentum
 
Part I, Theory
 
•  In your notebook or on a piece of scratch paper, sketch free-body diagrams of a cart traveling at constant velocity on a horizontal track, a cart at rest on a horizontal track, and the two carts when they collide.  Label the forces.  Friction is negligible.
 
•  Write out the work-energy theorem and the principle of conservation of momentum in words and equations.

When you are satisfied, open the worksheet and answer Questions 1 and 2.  Check with your lab instructor to confirm that your free-body diagrams, statements, and equations are correct.  Then move on to Part II.
 
Back to the Overview
On to Part II
Part III
Worksheet
Index